Manuscript for November 1

 P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 INTROIT Psalm 31:1, 3, 5; antiphon: Revelation 7:14b

These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood  of the Lamb.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY

 P Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

676 BEHOLD A HOST, ARRAYED IN WHITE

1 Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright!
    With palms they stand;
    Who is this band
Before the throne of light?
These are the saints of glorious fame,
Who from the great affliction came
    And in the flood
    Of Jesus’ blood
Are cleansed from guilt and shame.
They now serve God both day and night;
They sing their songs in endless light.
    Their anthems ring
    As they all sing
With angels shining bright.

 

2 Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
But now, how glorious they appear!
    Those martyrs stand,
    A priestly band,
God’s throne forever near.
On earth they wept through bitter years;
Now God has wiped away their tears,
    Transformed their strife
    To heav’nly life,
And freed them from their fears.
They now enjoy the Sabbath rest,
The heav’nly banquet of the blest;
    The Lamb, their Lord,
    At festive board
Himself is host and guest.

 

3 O blessèd saints in bright array
Now safely home in endless day,
    Extol the Lord,
    Who with His Word
Sustained you on the way.
The steep and narrow path you trod;
You toiled and sowed the Word abroad;
    Rejoice and bring
    Your fruits and sing
Before the throne of God.
The myriad angels raise their song;
O saints, sing with that happy throng!
    Lift up one voice;
    Let heav’n rejoice
In our Redeemer’s song!

Text: Public domain

 

 

FIRST READING Revelation 7:2–17

²Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, ³saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” ⁴And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

⁵12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
⁶12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
⁷12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
⁸12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.

⁹After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹²saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

EPISTLE 1 John 3:1–3

¹See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ²Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

 A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

  

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 5:1–12

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fifth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

 ¹Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

²And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

⁹“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

¹⁰“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

 

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

APOSTLES’ CREED 

 SERMON

 

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 In the Christian church, we hear these words from Matthew chapter 5 on All Saints’ Day. In these few poetic lines, the Beatitudes, as they have come to be called, Jesus our Lord teaches us how to think about those beloved saints who have gone before us in the faith. These blessed words also teach us how to think about others, those who are still with us now. In fact, these words of Jesus, the Beatitudes, should teach each of us how to think about ourselves, and our own place in all this.

 1. What should we think about the departed.

 Blessed. Jesus, when talking about those who believe in him, uses this word, “Blessed”. Those who have passed from this life and are now in heaven are “Blessed”. They are not forgotten or annihilated. Jesus promised “everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That’s the blessing for the blessed: eternal life with Jesus.

 They are blessed. That’s what Jesus says.

 Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”(John 3:6). We who listen to Jesus, need to have it straight in our minds what is of flesh and what is of spirit. According to the flesh, those who have passed away are poor, weak, miserable. It’s tragic that they died. Especially for those of us who mourn their passing. We spent those last few weeks, months and years with them, when they were in that painful process of dyeing. It was miserable. Death is horrible. It’s the enemy of life. There’s no sugar coating it.

 But according to the spirit, we listen to and believe what the spirit of Jesus says: Those who believe in Him are Blessed. And that’s blessed forever. The blessings go on forever in the kingdom He has prepared for those who love Him.

 The reformation message of the Gospel defines that blessed state. It is “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22). By faith, those dear ones of God are blessed -- not because of what they accomplished, not because of what good they did, not because of their strength and life. No, all such things failed. But because of Jesus, whom they believed in. He lived for them. He loved them. He died for them. He saved them.

 There’s no need to pity those saints who have died. Jesus says they are blessed.

 Let’s remember those believers who are now gone in this way: They are blessed by God because Jesus saved them. So we trust that as they believed, so our Lord has kept His promises, has taken them to Himself for all eternity.

 2. Now what should you think about those who are with you now?

 These beatitudes of Jesus ought to make us consider all people with a different vision -- not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. With the flesh, we see the outward appearances of things, not the internal essence. With the flesh we see the present situation only, not the eternal reality. 

Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The flesh sees poor, weak, suffering people, and concludes that they are losers, worthless, despicable. The spirit hears God’s blessing of love and salvation for all who would put their trust in Him. Our Lord goes to the suffering of the cross for those poor in spirit, so that He can lift them out of their poverty and bring them to His eternal Kingdom of heaven.

 Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” When your family members get on your nerves, when your neighbor frustrates you, when you are ready to give up and walk away from them, remember that Jesus your Lord calls them “Blessed.” They are meek. They, according to the flesh are deserving of nothing, none of your favors. But by the spirit, hear what Jesus says about them. The earth was created for them. They are the benefits of His care, His attention and His salvation.

 Every poor miserable person that you come across, every stubborn character that you have to deal with, every neighbor you have that is difficult to love is one whom Jesus wants to call blessed. You might look at them with the eyes of flesh. In spirit, see them as ones who Jesus wants to save, and they should believe in Jesus.

 3. So now that you hear Jesus say this, what should you think about yourself.

 Well first of all, you can’t take much pride in yourself. You ought to identify yourself as one who is meek, week, and poor in spirit. But “Blessed” is the word Jesus uses. He has the authority to use such a word. He has the authority to call a thing what it is. Jesus is talking about you people who believe in Him and He says you are blessed.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Therefore, even as you don’t pride in yourself, so also you can’t pity yourself. You are blessed. So even as you are poor in spirit, even as you mourn, even as you are meek, let your spirit hear what Jesus says: “you are blessed.” Amen.

  

P We remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us in the faith, for they were created by God to offer Him praise and thanksgiving forever, and He gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism, and nourished them in the company of His people at His Holy Table, and in His mercy, has summoned them to His nearer presence in heaven so that they may continue in joyful service of Him forever.

 Today We remember especially those who departed this life during this year, 2020:

 Robert Charles Rogers, died April 8, 2020, having lived here on this earth 89 years, 7 months and 19 days.  Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will leave even though he dies; And whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

 John William Ross, died April 7, 2020, having lived here on this earth 86 years, 6 months and 8 days. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” (Job 19:25-26)

 Bernice L Davis, died June 1, 2020, having lived here on this earth 98 years, 3 months and 15 days. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

 Raymond Edward Harrison, died July 9, 2020, having lived here on this earth 88 years, 9 months and 24 days. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

     

 P Almighty God, in whose glorious presence live all who depart in the Lord, and before whom all the souls of the faithful who are delivered from the burden of the flesh are in joy and peace, we give you hearty thanks for your loving kindness to all Your servants who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labors, and we humbly pray  your mercy that we, together with them may have our perfect consummation in bliss, in both body and soul on the day of the resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Mighty and eternal God, we remember before You the saints and martyrs of every generation, who trusted in You in the face of terror and threat. Grant that when facing persecution and trial in our own day, we may be steadfast in faith. Deliver those whom You have washed in Baptism, granting the new life that death cannot overcome. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Mighty and eternal God, You established the Church and have granted her Your aid and protection through these many years. Continue to pour out upon us Your Spirit and grace, that we may accomplish Your bidding and proclaim Your saving name to every corner of the earth. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Bless our president, the Congress, our governor, the legislature and all local officials, that pursuing the path of justice they may act with humility and honor for the good of all people. Give wisdom to all who vote this week, and bless its result, that our nation may elect our leaders peacefully and orderly. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Mighty and eternal God, we rejoice that You have rescued us from the power of death and raised us in Christ to dwell with Him in everlasting life. Give to those who grieve the comfort of the promise of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life, and bestow Your peace upon the dying, that they may fall asleep here and awaken in Your glory. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Mighty and eternal God, You have made us Your children, and You continue to guard us as Your own possession. According to Your will, give healing to the sick, calm to the troubled in mind, and patience to those facing sorrow and struggle. Give health and peace to our nation. Hear us especially on behalf of _____________. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 P Mighty and eternal God, bring us to that day when every tear shall be wiped from our eyes and we shall hunger and thirst no more. Knowing You now by faith, we yearn for the day when we shall know You face to face. Until the dawn of that eternal day, keep us in Your faith and fear through our Good Shepherd and Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

  

LORD’S PRAYER

C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,

     Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;

     give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those  who trespass against us;

     and lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

BENEDICTION LSB 166

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

C Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2020 Concordia Publishing House.